Triton elementary students excited for new sense-ations

June 18, 2024

Triton Elementary in Dodge Center, Minnesota celebrated the arrival of new tools for its sensory room this spring. With more than 100 students in special education classes at the school, early childhood special education teacher Lisa Chicos says the fiberoptic spray lights, gel tiles, jellyfish lava lamp, sand panel and hammock swing help students adjust to the classroom and ready themselves for learning.

“These items help my students with specific sensory needs calm down and focus on learning,” said Chicos. “The budget to acquire additional sensory items is limited, and we rely on donors and grants to enhance experiences for our students with different learning abilities.”

Horace Mann agent Bill Hansen nominated the school for the Horace Mann Educators Foundation’s EmpowerED grant program, which helps address needs critical to student success. Triton Elementary was one of 10 nonprofit, education-related organizations nationwide to receive one of the $2,500 grants.

“This was an absolute game changer for Triton. These aren’t just ‘nice to have’ things, they are daily necessities,” added Hansen. “I was truly emotional listening to the teachers explain how excited they were to start using them right away.”